Voters propose to rectify broadcast images that are not in accordance with public morality

According to voters, some TV channels in Vietnam still broadcast many offensive images that are not suitable for Vietnamese customs and traditions. The Ministry of Information and Communications has been implementing the following solutions to rectify this problem..

According to information just announced by the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information, Ministry of Information and Communications today, September 22, 2015, there are opinions from voters reflecting that our country's television channels currently broadcast many offensive images, not suitable to Vietnamese customs and traditions; request to strengthen management and rectify this situation.

Responding to voters' opinions, the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information said: In recent years, the radio and television system nationwide has developed rapidly in both quantity and content, and program quality. Currently, the country has 66 central and local radio and television stations; radio and television stations have launched many new program channels, bringing the number of radio and television program channels in Vietnam to 182 channels with 105 television program channels, 77 radio program channels.

In addition to the broadcast television system, the pay television system in our country has developed strongly in recent years with many types of transmission technologies such as cable, satellite, digital terrestrial, IPTV with 75 pay television channels. The total number of foreign television channels licensed for editing to broadcast on the pay television system in Vietnam is currently 40 channels.

Radio and television channels are truly the Party and State's fast and sensitive means of information and propaganda, promptly and effectively serving the political tasks of the country and localities, actively propagating and reflecting many aspects of economic, political, cultural, social, and national security and defense life. At the same time, they also increasingly meet the people's information and entertainment needs.

However, there are still some radio and television stations exploiting foreign films, broadcasting, and producing reality TV and music programs with images, costumes, and content that are not suitable for Vietnamese customs and traditions;...

Also according to the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information, with the responsibility of being the State management agency of press, radio and television, the Ministry of Information and Communications has been implementing a number of solutions to rectify the above issue.

Specifically: Radio and television stations are requested to comply with the provisions of the Press Law, the Law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Press Law, the Press Law, the Advertising Law and implementing guidelines.

Continue to direct and orient information content for radio and television stations to improve the quality of radio and television programs.

Strengthening the organization of training and improving the quality of the editorial staff of radio and television stations, with special attention paid to improving professional skills and political qualities.

Recommend that the authorities develop policies to increase State budget investment for domestic television channels serving political tasks and essential information and propaganda to improve the quality of radio and television program content. For the remaining channels, self-balance the budget for implementation.

Propose that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, with the responsibility of being the State management agency of cinema, issue mechanisms and policies to encourage the improvement of the quality of Vietnamese films such as price mechanisms and policies to have reasonable prices for Vietnamese films on television, mechanisms to well control imported films into Vietnam...

In particular, the Ministry of Information and Communications continues to strengthen guidance in weekly press conferences; promptly issue written reminders to radio and television stations when broadcasting programs with many images, costumes, and content that are not suitable for Vietnamese customs and traditions. In fact, recently, the Ministry of Information and Communications has reminded Vietnam Television about broadcasting the reality TV show "Hidden Face" with offensive images; the feature film "Kirina's Love" on Bibi channel with offensive content, images, and dialogues that are not suitable for the channel's purpose; the program "Amazing Race 2014" with some offensive images and dialogues; and has punished Vietnam Television for broadcasting the reality TV show "X-Factor" with a performance using the Pieu scarf - a cultural symbol of the Thai ethnic group, which is incorrect and inappropriate.

"If any violations related to press management are detected, the Ministry of Information and Communications will handle them within its authority according to the provisions of Decree 159/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013 of the Government on administrative sanctions for violations in press and publishing activities," the Department of Radio, Television and Electronic Information affirmed.

According to Infonet